Historical architecture firm Architexas won the $60,000 contract to restore the interior of the Stagecoach Inn. Parks and Recreation Director Rick Atkins said the structure will be used as an event space available to the public. It was relocated to the area in 2018 and intended to become part of the Brushy Creek trail system. According to city documents, the intention was to "mothball" it, which means city officials intended to deactivate and secure it as a historical asset in the interim. This plan changed due to community interest combined with a windfall of hotel occupancy funds that will allow some of the interior to be restored.
While city staff stated that the scope of work has not yet been determined, Atkins did say there are no plans to provide air conditioning in the facility.
"If we decide we want to condition it or do anything else to it, we just need to ... add that to the to the budget," Atkins said at a March 22 packet briefing.
The Stagecoach in will become part of the Heritage West Trail, an ongoing project of the city that recently faced significant delays due to bankruptcy of its contractor. The project's completion is now expected sometime in 2023.
The council approved the project at a 7-0 vote.
